Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Spanish Dagger (Gloriosa)
Spanish Dagger (Gloriosa) is Yucca gloriosa, a tropical-looking yucca from the coastal Southeast with bluish-green, sword-shaped leaves on one or several trunks. Tall stalks of fragrant, creamy white bells open from late spring into early summer. In the Valley it looks best with morning sun, afternoon shade and water every few weeks, since it is not a desert yucca.
Best for: a tropical accent with morning sun and afternoon shade, patio containers, and mixed borders that get regular water.
Bluish-green, sword-shaped leaves top one or several trunks, reaching about 10 to 15 feet. It gives an entry or courtyard a tropical look.
In Phoenix it looks best with morning sun and afternoon shade, such as an east side. Full, hot sun and reflected heat turn the leaves yellow.
It works in large containers on patios and porches, where regular watering is easy.
Mixed into a dry, low-water planting in full sun, it often turns yellow. Soil that stays wet causes dark spots and rot, so water every few weeks and let it drain.
- Closer group4 ft apart
- Group planting4-6 ft apart
Water a new plant more often until it roots in. Once rooted, water every few weeks and let the soil drain between waterings.
Give it morning sun and afternoon shade. Full, hot sun and reflected heat yellow the leaves.
Remove old, faded leaves as they brown. Cut each spent flower stalk low after it finishes.
It is hardy to about 22°F. Cover young plants with frost cloth on hard freeze nights.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Does Spanish dagger need full sun in Phoenix?
No. Partial sun is best here. Give it morning sun and afternoon shade, since full hot sun and reflected heat turn the leaves yellow.
How often should I water it?
Water it every few weeks to keep it looking good. It is only moderately drought tolerant and does poorly in a dry, low-water bed.
How big does it get?
About 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, on one or several trunks.
When does it bloom?
From late April into June, with tall stalks of fragrant, creamy white bell flowers.
How cold can it take?
It is hardy to about 22°F in the Valley. Cover young plants on hard freeze nights.
Are the leaves sharp?
The leaves taper to a point, though the tips are softer than a Spanish bayonet. Keep it back a little from paths anyway.
Why are the leaves yellow?
Full, hot sun and too little water are the usual causes. Move it to morning sun or give it water every few weeks.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yucca is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Chewing it usually causes vomiting in dogs and cats.
Spanish Dagger (Gloriosa) for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Spanish Dagger (Yucca gloriosa) is a Southeast native yucca that needs more water and shade in the Valley than desert yuccas. This page covers size, sun, water, flowers, cold, spines and pets.
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Spanish dagger in Phoenix
Yucca gloriosa is a Southeast native, so it needs morning sun, afternoon shade and water every few weeks here.
How big does Spanish dagger get?
About 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, on one or several trunks.
Spanish dagger flowers
Fragrant, creamy white bells open on tall stalks from late spring into early summer.
Why Spanish dagger turns yellow
Full, hot sun and dry soil are the usual causes in the Valley.
Is Spanish dagger cold hardy?
It is hardy to about 22°F.
Spanish dagger vs Spanish bayonet
Spanish dagger leaf tips are softer; Spanish bayonet tips are stiff and sharp.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.